The William Way LGBT Community Center | 1315 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | www.waygay.org | (215) 732-2220 | info@waygay.

org

MAY

2015

THIS ISSUE
1 Homecoming 2015
2 Greetings from the
Executive Director

3 May Calendar
4 May At A Glance
6 This Month in
LGBT History

6 Around the Center

7 Stardust Dance Party

HOMECOMING 2015
With 40 years of history, William Way LGBT
Community Center has touched the lives of
countless individuals and their families. On
June 13 the day before Philly PRIDE we
will be kicking off our season of celebration,
remembering those that have helped provide for
that history and honoring those that continue to
carry on with that legacy.
Just as many schools around the nation invite
their alumni back each year for a Homecoming
celebration, so does William Way. We invite all
members of the Philadelphia LGBT community
(including our wonderful allies) to join us for
Homecoming 2015 on June 13, at the John
C Anderson Apartment Building for a truly
remarkable celebration of the Centers history.

even better company that completes your PRIDE

weekend Saturday schedule. Where else can you
find a meal and a 4-hour open bar for just $50?
Also at Homecoming, we will be launching the
40th Anniversary project, 40 years with 40
Stories. This project aims to collect and tell
the stories of 40 individuals whose personal
connection to the Center has shaped our history
and will continue to shape our future. These
donors, board members, former staff, and
members of the Center will tell their stories in
videos and through the written word to be shared
with our community and will serve to remind us of
the tremendous work the Center has done for the
past 40 years and will continue to do for as long as
there is work to be done.

& Womens Field Day

7 SAGEWorks at the Center

Help us go paperless! To
receive our newsletter by
e-mail, visit www.waygay.
org and click on the Go
Paperless link, or call (215)
732-2220.

No Homecoming would be complete without

an impressive Homecoming Court, and ours
is comprised of individuals that have made
significant contributions to the Center and the
community at-large throughout the 40-year history
of the William Way LGBT Community Center. We
will also celebrate with performances from some of
Philadelphias finest LGBT entertainers, delicious
food provided by Giorgios on Pine, an open bar
provided by many of our community partners, and
a silent auction featuring items from businesses
and organizations throughout the Delaware Valley.
What began as an event called the Building
Bash, Homecoming has evolved into a signature
event of the PRIDE weekend festivities. Nestled
between Dyke March and the Stimulus after
party at Voyeur, Homecoming is sure to be the
early evening event that welcomes everyone to
enjoy a wonderful meal, great entertainment, and

The most essential part of the Homecoming

celebration is the people that attend, those
members of our community that continue to
support the work that William Way Community
Center does 365 days of the year. We want
this celebration of our history to be the largest
Homecoming yet, and would love for you to join us
for all of the fun.
Tickets to Homecoming are $50.00 for standard
tickets and $40.00 for Dyke March participants
and students. Purchase your tickets (or make a
contribution if you arent able to join us) online at
waygayhomecoming2015.brownpapertickets.
com or you can stop by the Center and purchase
tickets in person.
We sincerely hope you will be able to join us on
June 13 at 7:00 PM!

GREETINGS FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Im loving the energy of the Center right
now. Spring has definitely arrived! And with
it has come an even greater energy in our
lobbypeople engaging with each other
and experiencing the power of community. I
believe that the power of the Center lies
in its ability to bring people together
from all sorts of backgrounds to learn
about our LGBT culture, to meet friends
and family, and to help build a stronger
community and city.
In the past month, Ive seen this happen
especially in our archives, as new waves of
people show up to volunteer, with support of
Archivist John Anderies and Curator Bob
Skiba, to explore, categorize, and document
the treasures in the John. J. Wilcox Jr.
Archives.
A few weeks ago, over twenty archivists
from around the region showed up to explore
our audio and tape holdings, which were
largely undocumented. After three hours of
hard work, we discovered more about those
items and are now able to more effectively
promote them for use by academics,
activists, and other community folks.
Im excited by this idea of crowdsourcing
our resources--- using experienced
volunteer expertise to make the Centers
resources more accessible, visible and
understandable.
We had a second crew of volunteers visit the
Center to begin to catalogue the Centers
transgender resources, in preparation for
a major exhibit to take place at the Center
this summer: Defiant Archives: Trans
Histories of Existence, Resistance
and Brilliance, co-curated by Leeway
Fellow Ezra Berkely Nepon and William
Way Super Volunteer Sharron Cooks.
These two have teamed up with well-known
oral historians, archivists, and community
activists to tell a compelling story of
transgender and gender variant history
in Philadelphiaincluding the tale of the
2

Deweys Lunch Counter Sit-in, which was

one of the earliest LGBT demonstrations
in our Citys history, taking place in 1965. I
joined the volunteers for the first curatorial
meeting and was inspired by their mission to
tell a story both personal and political. I know
that through their work they will build upon
our earlier transgender exhibit and, through
telling this history, help to build community.

I believe that the power of

the Center lies in its ability to
bring people together from
all sorts of backgrounds
to learn about our LGBT
culture, to meet friends and
family, and to help build a
stronger community and
city.
Centerlink Update
I traveled to Dallas, TX as the end of March
to participate as co-chair in the Board of
Directors meeting of Centerlink, the national
umbrella group of LGBT centers. We were
hosted by the wonderful LGBT center of
Dallas, known as the Resource Center,
and I was so impressed by the resources
it offersincluding daily lunches, a food
bank, and health services. Perhaps most
inspiring was the fact that they are about to
break ground on a new building in the heart
of Dallass LGBT communityand the new
building will give even more space for their
wonderful work. My congratulations to my
colleague Cece Cox, CEO of the Resource
Center, for her vision and energy in making
this happen. Seeing the Dallas Centers
plan for growth excited me about our own
opportunities for growth in the upcoming
years!

Indigo Girls
Many thanks to Joe Sinkus, Manager of
Donor Relations at the Kimmel Center,
who invited me and a few others to join him
for the Indigo Girls concert at the Kimmel.
I was raised on the Indigo Girlstheir songs
(especially Galileo and Closer to Fine)
defined some of my early activist yearsand
it was a night of nostalgia to hear them sing,
backed up by the wonderful Philadelphia
Youth Orchestra. I sat with Mayor Nutters
new LGBT Director, Nellie Fitzpatrick,
and our state representative, Brian Sims,
among others. We were all on our feet
cheering for the wonderful music, which has
always had an LGBT (or at least lesbian) flair
to it.
Eulogy:
Finally, a few words of appreciation to
two dear friends who passed away in
early April: Victor Kearse and Charlene
Arcila. Both were mentors to me who were
invested deeply in community building and,
importantly, the support of young leaders.
Victor facilitated the ADODI groups, which
focused on black gay leadership. Charlene
did so muchbut most notably founded
the Mazzoni Centers Trans Health
Conference and fought successfully to
have gender markers removed from SEPTA
transpasses. I could say much more about
their achievementsbut in my mind their
success wasnt just in what they didit
was also who they wereand that was
very loving people who wanted to support
their fellow leaders. I thank them for all
the support they gave meand I miss them
deeply.
Sincerely,
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director

MAY CALENDAR

STA FF

Avis Albaladejo
Facilities Directorr
John Anderies
Archivist of the
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archive
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director
Eric Bunting
Facilities Assistant
Leonard Carter
SAGEWorks Associate
Jim Crouch
Maintenance Technician
Gary Hines
Interim Development
Coordinator
Ben Jones
Development Director
Will Jordan
Bookkeeper
Ed Miller
Senior Programs Coordinator
Steve Serafin
Peer Counseling Coordinator
Marshall Siegel
Front Desk Coordinator
Bob Skiba
Curator of the
John J. Wilcox, Jr Archive
Candice Thompson
Chief Operating Officer

BOA R D OF
DIR ECTORS
OFFICERS
Jeff Sotland, Esq.
Co-Chair
Laurie Ward
Co-Chair
Steve Brando
Secretary
Anh Dang
Treasurer

BOA R D
MEMB ERS
Jocelyn Block
Tricia Dressel
Chris Durr
Rudy Flesher
Anna Garrett
Amber Hikes
Mandeep Jangi
Robert Lenahan
Paul Steinke
Leona Thomas

The William Way LGBT Community Center is a not-for-progit, 501(c)3 organization

serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communites of Greater Philadelphia.
* Indicates a new program

MAY AT A GLANCE
ONGOING

MAY 01

Art Gallery: 10th Annual Juried Art

Exhibition
On view in the gallery: May 15 June 26, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, May 15,
6-8pm
Join us for the newest exhibition of
work from local and emerging LGBTQ
artists. This years competition was an
open call to all local LGBTQ artists and
welcomed juror Rochelle Toner who has
actively been involved as a printmaker
in the Philadelphia area for over two
decades and has shown work at the
Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Institute
of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, The
Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, and
more. The show will feature dozens
of artists working is various media
and winners of the competition will be
announced at the opening reception
which is free and open to the public.

Loft 23 presents The Exchange Loft

Friday, May 1, 15, 6-8 pm
(1st and 3rd Fridays)
This month, join us for casual
conversation and mingling at the
Center. Loft23 is an inclusive social/
support group where LGBTQ individuals
between the ages of 21 and 29 can have
engaging and constructive experiences
that lead to self-improvement and the
development of positive connections
within the community. FREE.

John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archive presents

40 Years, 40 Objects
April - June 2015
The Center has invited various
community members and friends to
select artifacts that are meaningful
to them from the Centers extensive
archival collection in celebration of our
40th anniversary. Join us for a powerful
exhibition documenting the community
and the Centers 40 year history in
Philadelphia.

MAY 02
Womens Field Day @ the Albatross
(254 W. Walnut Ln, Philadelphia, PA
19144)
Saturday, May 2, 3-10pm, $35
pre-sale (includes WWCC
membership!), $40 at the door
Join over 100 LBTQI women and
allies for a fun-filled BBQ and day in
the sun. Activities include: Beer pong
and flip cup tournaments, a corn hole
competition, volleyball and badminton,
plenty of beer, lemonade, and iced tea,
great picnic food, and of course, great
company!

MAY 04
HIV and Hepatitis C Testing (free
and confidential)
Monday, May 4, 18, 3-6 pm
The William Way Community Center
is partnering with BEBASHI, founded
in 1985 in response to the increasing
incidence of HIV/AIDS in the African

American communities in Philadelphia,

to provide free and confidential rapid
HIV testing and Hepatitis C testing.
Trained counselors will be on-site to
provide testing and education. Drop-ins
only.

MAY 06
Coffee Talk
Wednesday, May 6, 20, 7pm
(Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday)
Coffee Talk is a social gathering
for people who identify as Trans,
Genderqueer, or Non-Binary, and their
Allies. This is a safe space for all to
discuss about daily life, adventures,
daydreams, and/or realities. Coffee
Talk is an all-inclusive, non-threatening
environment for all to engage in casual
conversation.
Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 pm
Volunteer Orientation is a monthly
information session for new volunteers
to learn about the Center and the
various ways to get involved. Call (215)
732-2220 to register.

MAY 08
Loft23 presents The Game Loft
Friday, May 8, 6-8 pm
(2nd and 4th Fridays)
The game loft is a space geared
towards gamers (21-29 years old) within
the community and is an opportunity
to meet new people, play games,
and socialize outside of the bar/club
scene. There will be board games, a

R ECUR RING PROG R A MS

Bridge Club
Mondays, 1:30 pm
Party bridge for the experienced player.
Reservations suggested. Please call the
Center at 215-732-2220.
Chess Club (Free)
Sundays, 2 - 4 pm
This is an inclusive group seeking players
of all skill levels interested in socializing and
working on their game.Absolutely free, and
youre guaranteed to hone up on those skills
you havent used in awhile or to learn new
ones!

Mah-Jongg
Thursdays, 12 pm & 7:30 pm
For experienced and new players. Mah-jongg
is a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and
luck for four players. Reservations required
call 215-732-2220.
LGBT Age 50+ Rap Session
Thursdays, 1 - 2 pm
This is a unique forum where people can
discuss their feelings and experiences related
to being LGBT and age 50 + in a casual,
open and non-judgmental environment. This
new outlet has been created by and for older
adults. Stop in to share whats on your mind
and to just listen to what others have to say.

Library(Free)
Mon - Fri 12 - 9 pm
Sat 3 - 5 pm,
Sun 12 - 5 pm.

David Bohnett Cyber Center

Free WiFi in our lobby!
$1 per 15 minutes for WWCC computer use.

Mornings OUT Senior Social (Free)

Tuesdays, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
A social/educational group for older men with
occasional outings, speakers and events.
Light refreshments served.

Wii console and PS3 provided within

the group space. So come out, join the
group and have fun!!!!!! FREE.

MAY 09
Big Queer Book Sale!
Saturday, May 9, 1-4pm
Come and help the Center clear out
some of its Library overflow by buying
a bag of books, your choice! Hundreds
of current titles including everything
from Sedaris to Audre Lorde. Works
of fiction, poetry, art books, books on
LGBT/Queer history, etc. are all for sale
to help support Philadelphias only
LGBTQ lending Library. $5 per bag this
one day only. Select overflow items
from the Archives will also be available
for purchase, vintage magazines,
buttons, etc.

MAY 16
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Saturday, May 16, 2-5 pm
This guided discussion on all issues
which impact lesbian, bisexual and
questioning women will provide an
opportunity to address a variety
of topics including but not limited
to sexuality, role playing, politics,
relationships, etc No subject is off
limits! Each question will be written on
a 3 by 5 index card, folded in half. The
cards are then picked randomly by the
facilitator, Yvette Lassiter, MSW, and
read to the group at large. FREE. RSVP
is required to info@waygay.org or 215732-2220 as space is limited.

Peer Counseling
Mon - Fri, 6 pm - 9 pm
One-to-one confidential counseling. We
help with issues such as coming out, sexual
identity and expression, relationships, family
issues, isolation, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS,
legal issues, health and safety concerns. This
is a free and confidential service. 215-732TALK (8255).

MAY 19
Volunteer Velada & Dinner
Tuesday, May 19, 7 pm
(Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Help us fold and assemble our monthly
mailing. Its a big job and we need your
help!

MAY 22
Loft23: Tips for Finding Job/
internships and discussing
workplace non-discrimination
Friday, May 22, 6-8 pm
Local company Accenture has
partnered with the Loft 23 program at
the William Way Community Center and
is hosting its 4th workshop. This S2S
event is part of a larger 6 month series
focused on developing career & life
skills, and provide 1:1 mentorship with
Accenture resources. You do not need
to have attended previous events to
attend. This event will focus on finding
jobs/internships & non-discrimination
in the workplace. All workshops in this
series are free to attend for LGBTQ
identified young adults who are in their
20s.
Womens Wednesdays hosts the
2nd Annual StarDust Dance Party
Friday, May 22, 7-9 pm, $10 in
advance, $15 at the door
Join us for this special evening for
mature women in the community.
Dance to your favorite songs from
back-in-the-day with longtime DJ Sandi
Stabler (Sisters, Hepburns, Mamzelles,
Sneakers, +) and mix and mingle with

PhilaVentures: Wissahickon Hike

Last Sun of the Month, 2 pm
An opportunity for walking at a moderate pace
with a talkative group of LGBT folks who like
fresh air and exercise! Some ups and downs
and uneven paths are found along the way, so
wear proper footwear and be ready to hike!
This groups meets at 2:00 PM at Cosimos
Pizza, 8624 Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem
Pike.

Rainbow Buddhist Meditation

Sundays, 3-4:30 pm
This free group is for both practicing
Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism
and includes both a discussion and
meditation.

new and old friends. Our Womens

Wednesdays group (our social and
cultural group for women 50 and over)
organized the dance to bring women
together to celebrate one another and
to have a good time. You dont want to
miss this dance party which will feature
goodies including a DJ, beer, wine, and
other light refreshments included in
your ticket price.and oh so delicious
hors doeuvres! Purchase tickets at the
Center or online at www.waygay.org
Open to ALL women.

MAY 23
Queer Writers Collective
Saturday, May 23, 3-5 pm
(Every 4th Saturday of the month)
Join this free group for monthly
workshops and discussions to develop
your unique queer voice via the written
word at the Center. Contact Candice for
information at (215) 732-2220 or info@
waygay.org. Free.

MAY 24
Silver Foxes
Sunday, May 24, 3-5 pm
(Every 4th Sunday of the month,
except in December)
For LGBT 50+ folks. A monthly social
and discussion group at the Center.
Light refreshments will be served and
feel welcome to bring other food.

Tai Chi Classes (Free)

Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese system of
mind-body-spirit health, based on the wisdom
of the Tao and the I Ching. You will learn the
gentle movements and deep breathing of the
Yang Style 37 Postures Form. Tai Chi can
have many health benefits including: lowering
blood pressure; reducing leg, neck and back
pain, etc. All ages and all fitness levels are
welcome!

TransWay (Free)
Thursdays, 7-9 pm
A weekly social group for the transgender and
gender nonconforming community.

THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY

MARK SEGAL
Philadelphias Mark Segal has been at the forefront of LGBT
activism for over forty years. He was an early member of the Gay
Liberation Front, which formed within weeks of the Stonewall Riots.
In the early 70s, he and his Gay Raiders inititated disruptive zaps
against politicians and media to draw attention to the rights of gay
people. In this photo from November 1, 1972 Philadelphia Bulletin,
hes disrupting a Republican dinner, brandishing a Gay Power
sign. The next year hed draw national attention by zapping Walter
Cronkites CBS Evening News. Segal would go on to disrupt Johnny
Carsons Tonight Show and Barbara Walters Today Show.
In 1976, Segal began publishing the Philadelphia Gay News. He
worked to make the gay press respectable and treated equally
with the mainstream media, becoming part of the Pennsylvania
Newspaper Association only after a 15 year battle for acceptance.
In the late 1970s, he was an early supporter of the Gay Community
Center throughout its infancy, organizing benefits at bars and restaurants and arranging for gifts of books to the GCCP Library.
Mark Segal has been a non-stop major force in Philadelphias LGBT community since those early radical days. Last year, Segal spearheaded
the John C. Anderson LGBT Senior Housing project. The 56 unit building on 13th Street, just around the corner from the William Way Center,
stands as a tribute to Segals lifelong tenacity and commitment to LGBT rights. Bravo, Mark!
To learn more about Mark Segal and his role in Philadelphias LGBT history, visit the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives at the William Way
Community Center.
- Bob Skiba, John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia, archives@waygay.org.

AROUND THE CENTER

March Art Gallery opening night reception for

artists Devon Reiffer, Danielle Kyberd, and Eric
Anthony Berdis.

Stonewall Sports Annual Bar Crawl benefitting the

William Way Center.

This April, volunteers from PECO helped to

complete the Centers spring appeal mailing.

Archivists gathered for a volunteer service night to

catalogue the Centers AV collection.

SAGEWORKS AT
THE CENTER

STARDUST DANCE PARTY &

WOMENS FIELD DAY

The William Way Center will host two very special events this May for women in the
community: the Stardust Dance Party for mature women on Friday, May 22 from
7-9pm and Womens Field Day on Saturday, May 2 from 3-10pm (featured in Aprils
Way Gay Newsletter).
The Stardust Dance Party will be held in the Centers grand ballroom and will feature
music by longtime Dee Jay Sandi Stabler whose extensive resume includes DJing
at: Sneakers, Hepburns, Mamzelles, Sisters, the Newport Tavern, the DCA Club, and
The Cartwheel. Stabler has been getting women on the dance floor at some of the
most popular lesbian bars in town for the past 30 years and the Center is thrilled to
welcome her to Stardust!
The inaugural event in 2013 welcomed over 80 women to the Center and we are on
track to top that with this years dance which is just weeks away! The night will feature
music, light fare, plus wine and beer along with non-alcoholic beverages. The
evening was planned by participants from the Centers monthly recurring womens
social, Womens Wednesdays, who will be on hand to welcome guests and connect
women interested in making new friends.
Tickets are available pre-sale through the Centers web site at www.waygay.org
or by calling the Center during normal business hours at 215-732-2220. Tickets
will also be available at the door but the price goes up! Buying ahead is strongly
recommended in case we reach capacity. $10/$15 at the door.
Earlier this month, the good folks at the
Albatross in Northwest Philadelphia
will host the third annual Womens
Field Day event to benefit the Center.
There will be outdoor games, delicious
BBQ, beverages of all kinds, and most
importantly LGBTQI women! For the
past two years in a row, dozens of
Albatross in Northwest Philadelphia
women have turned out for a lovely day
in the sun (and shade), to laugh, drink, connect, and have FUN.
The Albatross is situated on three quarters of an acre of beautifully manicured lawns
and gardens that surround a stone terrace (where much of the days activities will
take place). The mansion was built in 1889 by Joseph Perot and was also home
to Dr. Martin Brumbaugh who was superintendent of the Philadelphia schools and
Pennsylvanias 26th governor. (see back page ad for ticket information).

Over one hundred job seekers are

now registered in our SAGEWorks
program thanks to our 2nd annual
SAGEWorks Career Fair. Twentyfive leading companies and
financial institutions in search of
top candidates were on hand.
Workshops were filled providing
tools like mindfulness meditation
in preparing for an interview - A
US Department of Labor regional
economist provided laser focus
on hot jobs in the region while the
LinkedIn workshop provided expert
tools and tips for getting yourself
noticed.
The uniqueness of holding a career
fair at the Center allows LGBT
people to feel safe and relaxed
especially for our transgender
SAGEWorks participants.
Organizations had their LGBT
employee group representatives
on hand along with recruiters and
managers to provide information
and support to community
members seeking jobs.
Consider becoming a Community
Partner The SageWorks program
is designed to assists LGBT and
allies 40+ in heightening their
odds of landing a job. Are you a
business professional or individual
with presentation or workshop
experience? Consider providing a
Brown Bag workshop or an afterwork presentation. Our two most
requested supports are for help
with practice interviewing and
resume review & critique. If you
have limited time these might be
opportunities that fit your schedule.
The resume review is done
electronically so the commitment
allows you to support the program
over the internet. Please contact
Ed Miller at emiller@waygay.
org to discuss these rewarding
opportunities.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

TAB

TAB

The Gay Community Center of Philadelphia

1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PHILADELPHIA, PA
PERMIT NO. 5411

TAB

t/a

CONNECT

WITH US:

@waygay
williamwaycc

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

williamway
info@waygay.org

To be placed on the Centers discreet

mailing list or for more information
about this option, please contact us at
(215)732-2220 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.